A. T Mahan

Excerpt: "The interest of the War of 1812, to Americans, has commonly been felt to lie in the brilliant evidence of high professional tone and efficiency reached by their navy, as shown by the single-ship actions, and by the two decisive victories achieved by little squadrons upon the lakes. Without in the least overlooking the permanent value of such examples and such traditions, to the nation, and to the military service which they illustrate, it...

This short biography of the Civil War admiral — and hero of Mobile Bay — was published in 1892. Written by one of America's greatest naval historians, himself a Civil War veteran, this work is a must read for anyone interested in Farragut himself or in the development of Mahan's influential and pugnacious ideas about sea power.

This authoritative 1905 history, based on Mahan's lectures as president of the Naval War College, develop his still-influential ideas about the role navies play among modern nations. Volume One begins with the antecedents of the war, such as the conditions in the colonies-and ends in the thick of the war, describing ocean warfare in the fall of 1812.

In this volume, the highly respected naval strategist Alfred Thayer Mahan attempts to arouse in his fellow Americans an awareness of their naval responsibilities, framing his argument not only in terms of national security but also touching on international commerce. Included are the chapters, "Hawaii and our Future Sea Power," "Possibilities of an Anglo-American Reunion," and "Strategic Features of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico," among...